and wife, and Andrew Lamb's wife are baptized.

THURSDAY, September 24. This day finds Brother Kline and Solomon
Garber in Randolph County, Virginia, nearly one hundred miles from
home, holding a meeting. Both have come on horseback. They hold a
council meeting with the Brethren assembled. Joseph Houser is elected
to the deaconship. After meeting Brother Solomon Garber baptizes Mrs.
Houser and Diana Bainbridge.

SATURDAY, September 26. They have meeting in meetinghouse near Josiah
Simon's. Matt. 5:13 is the text. Brother Solomon Garber spoke first;
and the Diary notes are so suggestive of original thought that I give
them in a somewhat expanded form. TEXT.--"_Ye are the salt of the
earth._"

Jesus spoke by parables: and we are told that without a parable spoke
he not. My text is a parable. But what is a parable? A parable is a
way of teaching in which natural objects are used to represent or
symbolize spiritual realities. It is a way of comparing natural things
with spiritual things. This way of teaching is based upon the
correspondence existing between natural things and spiritual or
heavenly things. Thus: a natural birth corresponds to a spiritual
birth; natural water, to spiritual water, which is divine or heavenly
truth. Wind, which is air in motion, corresponds to the presence and
power of the Holy Spirit. Now notice, Jesus said to Nicodemus: "If I
have told you earthly things, and you believe or understand not, how
shall you believe if I tell you of heavenly things?" Nicodemus could
not understand how earthly things could symbolize or represent
spiritual things. Hence he asked: "How can these things be?"

I have tried to find out as nearly as possible what the word SALT is
used to represent, as found in my text. I have searched many books for
this one thing alone. But after all my investigations I am compelled
to rely upon my own judgment, and decide the matter for myself. I
notice, however, that salt is often spoken of in the Bible. All the
priestly offerings had to be salted with salt. There must, then, be a
high and holy significance in its use in this way.

Elisha succeeded Elijah in the prophetic office. Elijah had been
carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire, and Elisha had just
returned from the scene and sight of his master's glorification, and
was at the city of Jericho. And the men of the city said unto Elisha:
"Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, ... but
the water is nau